Reel capping apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for placing caps on the end of elongated members which includes a conveyor means for feeding the elongated members in succession past a supply of blanks. A blank and the elongated member is shifted by the conveyor means into a folding mechanism which folds the blanks over the ends of the elongated member. Adhesive is applied between the blanks and the elongated member and pressure is exerted on the blank for a predetermined length of time so as to allow the adhesive to dry. The conveyor mechanism can be shifted laterally to accommodate different lengths of elongated members.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 3. 71

INVENTOR. g

HENRY LESTER SHUGART mm Q Q on ow 8. 6 M Q & on 2 g N .R av 3 9 J 5 mmfov mv F 3 3% u o QM 0 mm -1- 8 B a ATTORNEYS.

4 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed May a, 1971 INVENTOR.

HENRY LESTER SHUGART o E N: F 1 3 m 3 .w o 2 \L ML \A 9 mm mm g mm 2: m2I l d N mm: H c r 2 5 mm w Aw 5 5 r r w 9 3 h o n o I A v m2 M NH B Q oH. L. SHUGART REEL CAPPING APPARATUS Sept. 4, 1973 4 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed May 3, 1971 INVENTOR. HENRY LESTER SHUGART ATTORNEYS.

Se t. 4, 1973 H. SHUGART 3,756,394

REEL CAPPING APPARATUS Filed May 3, 1971 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

HENRY LESTER SHLJJGART H MM MAW AT TORNE Y5.

United States Patent 3,756,894 REEL CAPPING APPARATUS Henry LesterShugart, Rte. 1, Chester, S.C. Filed May 3, 1971, Ser. No. 139,691 Int.Cl. B3111 13/60 US. Cl. 156-443 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Anapparatus for placing caps on the end of elongated members whichincludes a conveyor means for feeding the elongated members insuccession past a supply of blanks. A blank and the elongated member isshifted by the conveyor means into a folding mechanism which folds theblanks over the ends of the elongated member. Adhesive is appliedbetween the blanks and the elongated member and pressure is exerted onthe blank for a predetermined length of time so as to allow the adhesiveto dry. The conveyor mechanism can be shifted laterally to accomodatedifferent lengths of elongated members.

This invention relates to apparatus for placing caps on the end ofelongated members, and more particularly to an apparatus which foldscardboard blanks over the ends of the elongated members for producingreels upon which cloth and the like can be wound.

Bolts of cloth are normally sold on reels which are formed from anelongated cardboard member that is folded to define a rectangular shapedmember. Heretofore, these elongated cardboard members were securedtogether by folding rectangular shaped blanks over the ends of theelongated member and stapling such together with metal staples. The capsor blanks carried on the end of the elongated members normally have informative indicia printed thereon; for example to identify themanufacturer of the cloth, the color of the cloth, the length of thecloth, etc. One problem with such reels is that they are very slow toassemble since the elongated members have to be folded from a scoredcardboard blank and held in the folded position while being stapled. Theuse of metal staples in assembling the reels is relatively slow and theoperators of the stapling mechanism have been injured by the staplessticking in their hands during the stapling operation. If the staplesare not applied properly they can also produce a sharpt edge which cantear the cloth wound on the reel.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention toprovide an apparatus for placing caps on the end of elongated membersfor producing a reel upon which cloth can be placed.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus which automatically folds a blank over the ends of elongatedmembers.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus which can be adjusted laterally for accommodating varioussizes of elongated members upon which blanks are folded over the end fordefining reels.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus which moves elongated members in succession past a supply ofblanks for positioning the blank adjacent the end of the elongatedmember, and moving such into a folding mechanism which automaticallyfolds the blank over the ends of the elongated member after glue hasbeen applied for securing such together.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a simpleapparatus which includes a pair of vertical spaced rods which are curvedtowards an elongated member carried on a conveyor means for folding ablank over the end of the elongated member.

Patented Sept. 4, 1973 The construction designed to carry out theinvention will be hereinafter described, together with other featuresthereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification, and by reference to the accompanying drawingsforming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the apparatus provided forfolding blanks over the end of elongated members,

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, with parts broken away for clarity, showingthe left-hand end of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the entire apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and2,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the blank feedingmechanism and a portion of the conveyor means taken along line 55 ofFIG. 3,

FIG. '6 is a fragmentary perspective View illustrating the blank feedingmechanism, the folding apparatus, and a portion of the conveyor means,

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 4illustrating a portion of the apparatus for shifting the conveyormechanism laterally,

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 4,

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 6illustrating a mechanism for maintaining the blank in a folded positionunder pressure while the glue dries,

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 10'10 of FIG. 3illustrating a portion of the mechanism for maintaining the blank in afolded position under pressure for a predetermined period of time, and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an elongated member with ablank folded over one end thereof.

The drawings illustrate an apparatus for placing caps on the end ofelongated members A. There is provided a supply of elongated members Aand a supply of blanks B which are to be folded over the ends of theelongated members A. A conveyor means C is provided for feeding theelongated members A in succession past the supply of blanks B. Means Dis provided for positioning a blank B adjacent the end of each of theelongated members A as the elongated member passes the supply of blanksB. Means E is provided for folding the blanks B positioned adjacent theend of the elongated member A over the end of the elongated member A.The folded blanks B are fastened to the elongated members A by afastening means such as glue. Thus, the blanks when folded over the endof the elongated members A, define caps producing a reel upon whichcloth and the like can be rolled.

The elongated member A in one particular application is formed from arectangular cardboard sheet that is scored so that it can be folded toproduce a rectangular member which is approximately 23 /2" long, 8" wideand thick. The folded member is illustrated in FIG. 11. It is to beunderstood, of course, that various types and sizes of elongated memberscan be utilized.

The blanks B are formed from a relatively thin cardboard and areapproximately 8" long and 3" wide. These blanks are prescored so thatthey can readily be folded over the end of the elongated members A.

A conveyor means C is provided for feeding the folded elongated membersA in succession pass a supply 10 of blanks B. The conveyor meansincludes a pair of laterally spaced rotating chain mechanisms, each ofwhich includes a pair of endless chains 11 and 12 and 13 and 14,

respectively. The laterally spaced endless chain members 12 and 14 areprovided for delivering the elongated members A adjacent the supply ofblanks B, and the endless chain members 11 and 13 are provided fordelivering the completed reels to a receptacle carried at the left-handend of the conveyor, such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. It is, of course,understood that instead of using a pair of chains for each chainmechanism a single elongated chain could be used. A plurality of lugs 15are carried on the chain and have a leading vertical surface 16 and acurved trailing surface 17. This is to facilitate in placing the foldedelongated members A between the lugs on the conveyor means C. When anoperator is used to feed the apparatus he first folds the elongatedmembers A into a rectangular shape and then deposits such betweenopposed spaced lugs 15 carried on the endless chain. The curved rearsurface 17 of the lugs -15 aids in positioning the elongated membersbetween spaced lugs. The vertical surface 16 of the lugs then pushes theelongated members along as the conveyor chains 11 through 14 arerotated. It is essential that the movement of the chains 11 and 12 besynchronized with the movement of the chains 13 and 14. This isaccomplished by driving all of the chains from 'a single electric motor18. The electric motor, in turn, drives a reduction gear box 19 by meansof a belt 20 which passes around pulleys 21 and 22 carried on theelectric motor '18 and the gear box 19, respectively. The entireconveyor means C is driven through a chain 23 which is coupled betweenan output shaft 24 of the gear box 19 and a sprocket 25 carried on ahexagonal shaft 26.

The conveyor means C is supported on a substantially rectangular stand,generally designated by the reference character 27, which includes fourvertical posts, two of which 28 and 29, are carried on one side of theapparatus and another pair which includes post 30 are located on theother side of the apparatus directly opposite the posts 28 and 29. Aside brace 31 connects the lower end of posts 28 and 29, and an upperside brace 32 connects the upper ends of the posts 28 and 29. A similarside brace connects the vertical posts on the opposite side of theapparatus.

Suitable cross-braces, such as brace 33 connecting the lower end of thevertical post 28 to the lower end of the vertical post 30 are providedfor adding rigidity to the stand. An upper brace 33a connects the upperend of post 29 to the post carried opposite thereto on the other side.The stand may be constructed of any suitable material, such as channeliron, as long as it is rigid and strong enough to support the conveyorsystem. Other suitable braces which are not shown for purposes ofclarity may be utilized to support items such as the electric motor 18and the gear box 19.

The conveyor system is supported on a pair of laterally spaced channelmembers 34 and 35 which extend the entire length of the apparatus asbest illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. The channel member 34 is, inturn, supported on a pair of longitudinally spaced sleeve members 36 and37. The sleeve members 36 and 37 have a cross-brace 38 and 39,respectively, threaded therethrough. The cross-braces 38 and 39 "arecarried between the opposed upper side braces 32 and are secured theretoby any suitable means, such as by welding. The channel member 35 iscarried on a pair of sleeves 40 and 41 which are supported in slidingrelationship on the cross-braces 38 and 39. The sleeves 36, 37, 40 and41 are constructed of a U-shaped member having a pair of bolts 42passing through the lower portion thereof with a nut 43 threaded on theend thereof, so that they define a substantially rectangular openingthrough which the respective crossbraces 38 and 39 pass. Theconstruction of the sleeves are best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. An enlargednut 44 having an upwardly projecting collar 45 integral therewith, with'a bore extending therethrough, through which a bolt 42 passes isprovided for aiding in shifting the sleeve members 40 and 41 laterallyin order to vary the spacing between the spaced channel members 34 and35.

A pair of threaded shafts 46 and 47, which are journalled in plates 48carried on opposite sides of the frame, extends through the nut 44 sothat by rotating the threaded shafts 46 and 47 the lateral position ofthe channel member 35 and the components carried thereon can be shiftedrelative to the other side of the conveyor system. The threaded shafts46 and 47 have sprockets 49 carried on the ends thereof with an endlesschain 50a extending therearound. The end of shafts 46 and 47 areprovided for accommodating a lug wrench so that by rotating either ofthe shafts 46 or 47 with the lug wrench such will cause both of theshafts to rotate simultaneously so that the channel member 35 can beshifted laterally uniformly.

As previously mentioned, all of the conveyor chains 11 through 14 aredriven off of the output shaft 24 of the gear box 19 so that themovement of them will be synchronized. The rotation of the output shaft24 of the gear box causes the hexagonal shaft 26 to be rotated throughthe chain 23. The hexagonal shaft 26 is journalled in bearing members49a which are, in turn, supported on the spaced upper braces 32. Asprocket 50 carried on the hexagonal shaft 26 rotates a double sprocket51 journalled in a bearing member 52 on the end of the conveyormechanism by means of a chain 53 wrapped therearound. An idler roller 54is suitably mounted on the channel member 35 so that it can be movedvertically in order to maintain the proper tension in the chain 53. Theendless chain 12 is looped around the double sprocket 5.1 so that it isrotated by the sprocket as the hexagonal shaft 26 is rotated. The otherend of the endless chain 12 is looped around another double sprocket 54carried adjacent the supply 710 of blanks. The endless chain 14 is alsolooped around the double sprocket 54 to be driven thereby. The other endof the endless chain 14 passes around an idler sprocket 55a.

The endless chains 11 and 12 are driven through identical mechanism asthe endless chains 13 and 14 therefore like reference characters will beutilized for like components, such as the sprockets and drive chains 53.The sprocket 50 is rotatably attached to the channel member 35 so thatit can slide along the hexagonal shaft 26 in order to permit theconveyor mechanisms to be shifted laterally to accommodate differentlengths of elongated members A.

The means D for positioning a blank B adjacent the end of an elongatedmember A as the enlongated member A passes by the supply of blanks 10 onthe conveyor means C includes a horizontal hopper 55. The horizontalhopper 55 which is best shown in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6 includes a rectangularU-shaped holder constructed of angle-iron so that the horizontal flanges56 of the angleiron supports the blanks 10 and the vertical flanges 57maintain the blanks B in alignment. The inner end of the hopper 55 isopen so that the blanks can be dispensed from the hopper by apparatusdisclosed below. A weight mechanism generally designated by thereference character 58, is provided for pushing the blanks B to the openinner end of the hopper and includes a slidable vertical plate 59 whichpresses against the last blank B in the stack. Pressure is maintained onthe stack of blanks B by means of the pulley arrangement so that theycan be dispensed properly from the hopper 55. The pulley arrangementincludes a horizontal arm 60 having one end integral with the verticalplate 59 and the other end turned downwardly in the form of a flange 61.A cable 62 is secured to the downwardly turned flange 61 and passesaround a free rotating wheel 62 back over another freely rotating wheel63 and has a weight 64 attached to the lower end thereof. The weight 64causes a predetermined pressure to be supplied to the stack of cards sothat they will always be forced to the left, as shown in FIG. 5. AGuillotine type of dispensing blade 65 is carried adjacent the inner endof the hopper 55 for feeding the blanks in succession from the hopperinto a V- shape grooved guide means '66. The dispensing mechanism 65includes a vertical rectangular blade 67 which is carried in a pair ofspaced vertical channel members 68 and 69 that are joined at the top bya channel member 70. The blade 67 is allowed to ride freely up and downwithin the channel members 68 and 69. A pneumatic cylinder 71 is carriedon the channel member 70 and has a rod 72 extending therefrom, which isattached to the blade 67. The pneumatic cylinder 71 is a double actingcylinder so that when such is activated it causes the blade 67 to movedownwardly to engage the innermost blank B for pushing the blank fromthe stack of blanks beyond a rubber retaining finger 72 into theV-shaped guide means 66. Pressurized air is then supplied to the bottomport 73 through line 74 connected thereto for raising the blade 67 backto its initial position. The retaining finger 72 aids in supporting theinnermost card so as to prevent the card from dropping from the stackinto the V-shaped groove without being pushed by the blade 67. Thefinger 72 is secured to the bottom of the hopper by a screw 73.Normally, a pair of fingers are utilized and spaced on opposite sides ofthe hopper. The V-shaped guide means 66, as best shown in FIG. 6,extends from adjacent the supply of blanks and terminates directly infront of the folding means E.

While the elongated members A are being shifted past the supply ofblanks B, an outwardly extending arm 75 carried by the lugs engages theblank B for moving the blanks while positioned closely adjacent the endof the elongated member along with the elongated member. The outwardlyextending arm 75 has a relatively thin flange 76 attached to the endthereof which extends forward for aiding in holding the blank B closelyadjacent the end of the elongated member in a vertical position. It isalso noted from reviewing FIG. 5 that the V-shaped guide member 66,rather than being a true V has a substantially vertical surface 77against which the lower end of the card rests for aiding in positioningsuch in the vertical position. The lower end of the dispensing mechanism65 has an inner plate 77 which extends below the hopper 56 whichco-operates with a space member 78 to define a groove 79 in which theupper end of the blank rides as it is propelled along the V-shaped guidemeans 66. After the blank B is shifted beyond the hopper an elongatedrail 80 carried in alignment with the V-shaped groove 66 aids in holdingthe blank B in the upright position until the blank B reaches thefolding mechanism E.

While the elongated member A and the blank B are traveling between theblank storage members 10 and the folding mechanism E glue is depositedon the elongated member adjacent its edge on both the top and bottom ofthe elongated member from containers 81 and 82, respectively. The glueis a thermosetting glue that is heated and applied to the top and bottomside of the elongated member A under pressure through a nozzle 82. Themechanism for activating the pneumatic cylinder 71 and the gluedispensers 81 and 82 will be described below. After the glue has beendeposited on the elongated member A, it is shifted with the blank B intothe folding mechanism.

The means E for folding the blank B over the ends of the elongatedmember A includes a pair of vertically spaced rods defining an upper andlower rod 83 and 84, respectively, which are carried adjacent theconveyor means C with the chain 13 upon which the elongated member issupported being located between the upper and lower rods 83 and 84,respectively. The upper rod 83 has an end portion 85 which curvesdownwardly and inwardly towards the elongated member A carried on theconveyor mans C. The lower rod has an end portion which is curvedupwardly and inwardly towards the elongated member A carried on theconveyor means C. The rods 83 and 84 have an elongated main bodyportion, which are carried closely adjacent the elongated member A formaintaining pressure on the folded blank as it is shifted along conveyormeans C.

As the blank is shifted into the folding mechanism E the curved endportion 85 of the upper rod 83 engages the leading edge of the blankabove the elongated member and bends the portion of the blank Bprojecting above the elongated member downwardly over the end of theelongated member, such as illustrated in FIG. 6. Simultaneously the endportion 86 of the lower rod 84 engages the bottom portion of the blank Bbending it over the underside of the elongated member to define a cap.

The elongated member A with the blank B folded over the end then passesto a roller mechanism, generally designated by the reference character89, which applies pressure on the folded blank while the glue 90 issetting. The roller 91 exerts pressure on the portion of the blankfolded over the top of the end of the elongated member while the rollers92 through 94 apply pressure to the end of the folded blank B.

The roller 91 is carried on an arm 95 which has its upper end journalledon a post 96 supported on a bracket 97. A spring 98 connected betweenthe frame and the upwardly extending arm, which has its lower endconnected to the arm 95, pulls the roller downward so that it will exertpressure on the folded blank. The rollers 92 through 94 are also springbiased inwardly for exerting pressure on the ends of the folded blank.As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 9, the rollers 92 and 94 are carried betweena pair of spaced arms 100 and 101 which have their other ends pivotallysupported on a bolt 102a suitably mounted on the frame of the conveyormechanism. A spring 103a extends between a bolt 104 upon which theroller 94 is allowed to rotate and thebolt 102a for pulling the rollerinto engagement with the end of the longated member as is illustrated inFIG. 9. The arrangement of the springs and bracket for supporting therollers 91 through 94 can be of any suitable conventional constructionas long as they apply pressure to the surfaces of the folded blanks B.It is, also, noted that a spring 98a extends between opposed roller 94for pulling such towards each other.

The elongated main body portion 88 of the lower rod, as is bestillustrated in FIG. 9, is supported on an angle member 102 which is, inturn, supported on the channel 34. The main body portion 87 of theelongated upper rod 83 as is best illustrated in FIG. 10, is welded to ahookshaped member 103 which has a shank portion 104 which is threadedthrough a sleeve 105, carried on the side of the channel member 34. Aspring 106 is positioned thereon between a threaded nut carried on theend of the shank portion and the sleeve for spring biasing the elongatedmain body portion 87 of the rod downwardly against the portion of theblank B folded over the upper end of the elongated member A. Thehook-shaped members 103 are positioned along the conveyor system as isbest illustrated in FIG. 3, from the roller mechanism 89 to the end ofthe conveyor.

As is also best illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 10, the chains 11 through14 ride in a channel 108 that is suitably supported on a bracket 109extending outwardly from the channel members 34 and 35.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the folded elongated members A are inserted onthe end of the conveyor system between successive lugs 15. A stack ofelongated members A, while waiting to be placed on the conveyor means C,can be placed on the outwardly extending arms 110. The right-hand end ofthe conveyor system is supported on a horizontal portion 111 of a braceextending upwardly from the floor. As the elongated members A are fedalong the right-hand end of the conveyor they pass under a pair ofspaced fixed elongated rods 112 and 113 which hold them flush on theconveyor while the elongated members A pass beyond the supply 10 ofblanks B into the folding mechanism B. As is noted in FIG. 3 the rods112 and 113 terminate adjacent the folding mechanism E.

A pair of photoelectric cells 114 and 115 are provided for activatingthe pneumatic cylinder 71 and the glue dispensers 81 and 82,respectively. When the elongated member A which is passing down theconveyor, breaks the light beam 116 of the photocell 114 such causes asolenoid valve to be closed. This allows compressed air from anysuitable supply to be fed to the upper port 117 of the pneumaticcylinder 71 which, in turn, causes the blade 67 to move from its raisedposition to its lower position to push a blank B from the supply ofblanks down into the V-shaped member 66. When the light beam 116 comingout of photocell 114 is allowed to again reflect from the reflectingplate 118 such causes the solenoid valve to again open, allowing air toenter the lower port 73 of the pneumatic cylinder 71 to raise the blade67. At the end of this cycle of operation a blank B should be positionedclosely adjacent the end of the elongated member A, such as illustratedin FIG. 6. As the elongated member A and the blank B move down theconveyor system a light beam 119 which is being emitted from photocell115, is broken to energize another solenoid valve (not shown) to causecompressed air to force the glue out of the glue dispensers 81 and 82for depositing glue on the elongated member. Normally, the glue isdeposited for a predetermined length of time so that it will stopadjacent the trailing edge of the elongated member A. The light beam 119being emitted from the photocell 115 is reflected back to the photocellby a reflective paint 120 positioned below the conveyor. The glue boxwhich includes a heater 121, as well as the photoelectric cells and thecontrols of such are conventional items, therefore, the details are notdiscussed for purpose of clarity. Any suitable wiring system could beutilized as long as the photocell 114 operates the solenoid valveassociated with the pneumatic valve 71 and the photoelectric cell 115activates a solenoid valve, which in turn, operates the glue dispensingmechanism 81 and 82.

In FIG. 1 a compressed air line 122 is illustrated having conventionalcomponents, such as filters 123 and a pressure regulator 124 interposedtherein. Positioned directly below the pressure regulator 124 is atension adjusting sprocket 125 which can be shifted vertically so as tovary the tension in the conveyor chain 11.

It is to be understood that the mechanism dispensing the blanks B andthe conveyor system C for moving the elongated members and the card fromright to left, as well as various other components are duplicated onopposite sides of the apparatus so that the blanks B can be folded overboth ends of the elongated member simultaneously.

It is, also, to be understood that instead of using the extension on theright-hand side of the drawing illustrated in FIG. 3, which is providedfor feeding the folded elongated members A past the supply 10 blanks,the elongated members could be positioned in a vertical hopper and feddirectly between the lugs carried on the chains 11 and 13.

Briefly summarizing the operation of the apparatus,

folded elongated members A are centered on the conveyor system C betweensuccessive lugs and fed past the supply of blanks B. As the elongatedmembers A pass the supply blanks B a blank is deposited closely adjacenteach end of the elongated member. The elongated member with the blankspositioned closely adjacent its ends is then shifted past the gluedispensers 81 and 82, which sprays glue 90 on both sides of theelongated member. The elongated member and the blanks B are then fedthrough the folding mechanism E which folds the blanks B over the endsof the elongated member A. Pressure is applied to the fold blank as ittravels the length of the conveyor for giving the glue time to set.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described usingspecific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, andit is to be understood that changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for placing caps on the end of elongated memberscomprising: a supply of elongated members, a

supply of blanks, conveyor means for feeding said elongated members insuccession past said supply of blanks, means for positioning a blankadjacent the end of each of said elongated members as said elongatedmembers pass said supply of blanks with a portion of said blankextending above said elongated member and a portion of said blankextending below said elongated member, a blank gripping means forholding said blank adjacent the end of an elongated member as said blankand elongated member are shifted by said conveyor means, camming meansfor progressively longitudinally folding said portions of said blankextending above and below said elongated member onto said elongatedmember, and means for fastening said folded blank to the end of saidelongated members for defining caps as said elongated members are passedon said conveyor means in succession.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elongated membersare reels, said reels being a folded rectangular shaped member, and saidblanks being a rectangular card that is folded over the end of said reelfor securing said reel together.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said camming meansincludes: a pair of vertically spaced rods defining an upper and lowerrod carried adjacent said conveyor means with said conveyor means beingcarried between said spaced rods, said upper rod having an end portioncurved downwardly and inwardly towards said elongated members carried onsaid conveyor means, and said lower rod having an end portion curvedupwardly and inwardly towards said elongated members carried on saidconveyor means, and means for feeding said blank with said elongatedmember into engagement with said end portions of said rods for foldingsaid blank over the end of said elongated member.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said rods have anelongated body portion integral with a respective end portion, and saidelongated main body portions being carried closely adjacent saidelongated member carried on said conveyor means for maintaining pressureon said blank while folded over said elongated member.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means forfastening said folded blank to said end of said elongated memberincludes adhesive carried between said folded blank and said end of saidelongated member for securing said blank to said elongated member.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said conveyor meansincludes a pair of laterally spaced rotating chain mechanisms, lugscarried on said chains for engaging and feeding said elongated membersin succession, and means for laterally varying the space between saidrotating chain mechanisms for accommodating elongated members ofdifferent lengths.

7. An apparatus for assembling reels comprising an elongated member, ablank, means for positioning said blank adjacent an end of saidelongated member, a folding device, including elongated upper and lowermembers, said upper member having an end portion curved downwardly andinwardly towards said elongated member, said lower member having an endportion curved upwardly and inwardly towards said elongated member,means for feeding said elongated member and said blank between saidupper and lower members so that said blank engages said end portion ofsaid upper and lower members for folding said blank progressivelylongitudinally around the end of said elongated member and maintainingsaid blank in folded position, and adhesive applicator means forsupplying adhesive prior to folding for securing said blank to saidelongated member while said blank is thus maintained in folded position,whereby said blank folded around the end of said elongated memberdefines a reel.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means for feedingsaid elongated member and said blank between said upper and lowermembers includes, a conveyor having a lug for engaging said elongatedmember and an outwardly extending arm for engaging said blanks forfeeding said elongated member and said blank together between said upperand lower members.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means forsecuring said blank to said elongated member includes adhesive carriedbetween said elongated member and said blank, and means for applyingpressure to said blank for a predetermined period of time while foldedover the end of said elongated member so as to allow said adhesivesufiicient time to set for securing said blank to said elongated member.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said means forapplying pressure to said blank includes a spring biased elongated rodand pressure rollers which engage said blank when folded around the endof said elongated member.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said means forpositioning said blank adjacent an end of said elongated memberincludes, a guide carried adjacent said end of said elongated member, asupply of blanks, and means for delivering a blank from said supply ofReferences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,324,572 7/1943 Frederick et al.9339.1 R 3,590,700 7/1971 Paxton et a1. 93--55 2,799,210 7/1957 Gazette93-55.1 X 2,548,527 4/1951 Goff 156556 ALFRED L. LEAVI'IT, PrimaryExaminer C. WESTON, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

